Graham Farish N 374-912 BR Set of 3 ex-SECR Birdcage Stock Coaches BR Vermillion

These coaches featured a distinctive raised roof section over the guards' office at one end of the brake coaches. This glazed cupola allowed the guard to easily observe the running of the train and signals ahead, its' resemblence to an aviary giving rise to the 'birdcage' moniker. Many of these coaches survived into British Railways ownership and being painted in the BR standard crimson livery specified for general service coaches. The Southern region version of the crimson, especially when applied to the older wood bodied coaches had a brighter appearance than was usual which is being reflected in the finishing of these models.

Well supplied with stock from the pre-grouping companies the Southern Railway had built no suburban locomotive-hauled coaches, concentrating investment on electrification and new electric trains. British Railways resumed the expansion of the Southerns' electrified network in addition to building new suburban type carriages, with a plan for replacing all coaches over 40 years old. The former SECR stock was therefore steadily replaced by newer trains and coaches in the 1950s in addition to the reduction in stock needed due to closure of uneconomic lines.